Cricket

Pakistan's cricket calendar for the 2024-25 season is set to be their busiest in over two decades, with seven Test matches scheduled to be played on home soil. The PCB has announced the dates and schedule for the entire home season, which also includes hosting the Champions Trophy.The home season will begin with the arrival of Bangladesh for a two-Test series in August, followed by a three-Test series against England in October. After a limited-overs tour of Australia and Zimbabwe, Pakistan will host South Africa for a T20I series and two Tests in December.The home Tests against West Indies will start nine days later, with the matches to be played in Karachi and Multan. All seven home Tests will be part of the World Test Championship, where Pakistan are currently ranked fifth.After the West Indies Tests, Pakistan will also host an ODI tri-series, which will have South Africa and New Zealand as the visiting teams. The Champions Trophy, the first ICC event Pakistan will host in 29 years, is scheduled to be held from February 19 to March 9.However, it remains to be seen if India, the only team in the Champions Trophy to not have travelled to Pakistan since international cricket resumed in the country in 2015, agree to make the trip.

Pakistan's star cricketers Babar Azam, Mohammad Rizwan, and Shaheen Shah Afridi are still awaiting No Objection Certificates (NOCs) from the Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) to participate in the Global T20 Canada league. The PCB has issued NOCs to 12 other players for various leagues, but the trio, who are among the highest-paid players in Pakistan, remain in limbo.The PCB has expressed concerns about the status of the Global T20 Canada league and has sought clarification from the organizers and the International Cricket Council (ICC). This has led to the delay in issuing NOCs to Azam, Rizwan, and Afridi.The Global T20 Canada League is scheduled to take place from July 25 to August 11, while Pakistan's Test series against Bangladesh at home is set to begin around August 19. The PCB is reportedly reluctant to grant NOCs to its top players for a league that overlaps with the national team's commitments.Among the players who have received NOCs are Abrar Ahmed, Haris Rauf, and Zaman Khan for the USA Major League, Mohammad Haris, Mohammad Hasnain, Salman Ali Agha, and Shadab Khan for the Lanka Premier League, Fakhar Zaman for the Caribbean Premier League, Usama Mir for the Hundred, and Mohammad Amir for county cricket.Notably, the PCB has not granted NOCs to young players Saim Ayub and Azam Khan for the CPL. Shadab, Salman, and Hasnain are already in Sri Lanka for the Lanka Premier League.The PCB's decision to withhold NOCs for Azam, Rizwan, and Afridi has raised questions about the board's priorities. Some critics argue that the PCB should prioritize the development of young players by allowing them to participate in overseas leagues, while others believe that the board is right to protect its top players from potential injuries or burnout.

The Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) is facing a crucial decision regarding the future of white-ball captain Babar Azam and the selection committee following Pakistan's disappointing T20 World Cup campaign. Head coach Gary Kirsten and selector Wahab Riaz have submitted their tour reports to PCB chairman Mohsin Naqvi, outlining their assessments of the team's performance.Pakistan's early exit from the tournament, with defeats to the USA and India, sparked widespread criticism in the country. The selection committee, led by Wahab, faced scrutiny for its decisions, particularly the non-selection of specialist legspinner Abrar Ahmed despite Shadab Khan's poor form.The PCB has opted to take its time before making any major decisions. Pakistan does not have any white-ball engagements until November, allowing the board to carefully consider the reports submitted by Kirsten and Wahab.Sources indicate that the PCB is open to changing the captaincy, but Babar remains a strong contender. The lack of obvious candidates to replace him has been a factor in the board's hesitation.The reports submitted by Kirsten and Wahab will provide valuable insights into the team's performance and areas for improvement. The PCB is expected to make a decision on the future of Babar and the selection committee in the coming weeks.However, the board has emphasized that it will not rush into any decisions and will prioritize making well-informed choices that will benefit the team in the long run.

Pakistan's unconventional training methods, including military drills and mattress fielding drills, have drawn criticism from fans. The team's unorthodox techniques have raised questions about their effectiveness in improving on-field performance.In a viral video, Pakistan players were seen practicing fielding on mattresses. Fans expressed amusement and skepticism, questioning the logic behind such drills. The team's unorthodox training methods have been a source of ridicule on social media.Pakistan's recent T20 World Cup campaign was disappointing, with the team failing to qualify for the Super 8 stage. Despite victories against Canada and Ireland, Pakistan's defeats to the USA and India proved costly.The team's upcoming schedule includes two Tests against Bangladesh and three Tests against England. Senior players like Babar Azam and Mohammad Rizwan are unlikely to take a break from these assignments.Pakistan's unconventional training methods have sparked debate among fans and experts. While some question their effectiveness, others believe they may provide a unique advantage. The team's upcoming performances will be closely scrutinized to determine the impact of these innovative training techniques.

The Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) is facing a dilemma as it grapples with the team's disappointing performance in the recent T20 World Cup. Sources within the board indicate that major changes to the national squad are unlikely, despite calls for a "major surgery" from PCB chairman Mohsin Naqvi.The PCB governing board will convene on Saturday to review reports submitted by head coach Gary Kirsten and senior team manager Wahab Riaz. However, insiders suggest that PCB chairman Mohsin Naqvi is wary of provoking a confrontation with senior players. As a result, only superficial adjustments are anticipated."The reports by Kirsten and Riaz will help the Governing Board and chairman Naqvi decide the next course of action, but all indications are there Naqvi doesn't want a confrontation with senior players," a source told PTI.The question of Babar Azam's captaincy in white-ball formats remains a contentious issue. While some former Test captains and a faction within the board favor Shaheen Afridi as a replacement, the names Shan Masood and Muhammad Rizwan have also emerged as potential candidates.Kirsten's report echoes his post-match discussions with players during the World Cup, emphasizing the need for players to adapt new skills and improve their game awareness. He warned that failure to do so would result in them being left behind.Wahab Riaz's report, on the other hand, outlines personality clashes within the team during the World Cup. His assessment aims to provide further context as the governing board and chairman Naqvi deliberate on the next steps.Pakistan's upcoming cricket commitments include a two-Test series against Bangladesh followed by three Tests against England. It is expected that senior players like Babar Azam and Muhammad Rizwan will not opt for breaks during these important fixtures.The PCB governing board meeting is expected to result in minor adjustments and a renewed focus on the overall structure of domestic cricket. However, the primary core of the team is expected to stay intact.The upcoming months appear critical for the PCB, as they navigate through internal and external pressures in hopes of improving team performance without unsettling senior members.

The Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) has proposed a high-profile Champions Trophy encounter between Pakistan and India to be held in Lahore on March 1, 2023. The proposal has been submitted to the International Cricket Council (ICC), but the Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) has yet to approve the schedule.The Champions Trophy is scheduled to take place from February 19 to March 9, with March 10 designated as a Reserve Day. The PCB has submitted a schedule consisting of 15 matches, with all of India's games allocated to Lahore due to security and logistical considerations."The PCB has submitted the draft of the 15-match ICC Champions Trophy. Seven games in Lahore, three in Karachi, and five in Rawalpindi," an ICC Board member said. "The opening match will be held in Karachi with two semifinals in Karachi and Rawalpindi, final in Lahore. All India matches (including semifinal, if the team qualifies) in Lahore," the source added.India find themselves in Group A, alongside Pakistan, Bangladesh, and New Zealand. Group B features Australia, South Africa, England, and Afghanistan.The ICC has held a meeting with the PCB to discuss the proposed schedule and security arrangements. The ICC's security team has conducted a comprehensive inspection of the venues and other arrangements.Pakistan's most recent experience hosting a major cricketing event was the Asia Cup in 2023. The tournament was conducted using a unique 'Hybrid Model' due to the Indian government's refusal to allow its players to travel across the border into Pakistan. As a result, India's matches were played in Sri Lanka, while the rest of the tournament took place in Pakistan.The ICC finds itself in a challenging position, as it lacks the authority to compel any cricket board to act in opposition to its government's directives. The BCCI is faced with a complex decision, and the cricketing world eagerly awaits its final stance on the issue.

Pakistan's disappointing exit from the T20 World Cup in the group stage has sparked widespread criticism and rumors of internal strife within the team. Wicketkeeper-batter Mohammad Rizwan has addressed these concerns, acknowledging the justified criticism but dismissing allegations of politics and groupism.Rizwan emphasized that the team's performance fell short of expectations and that they deserve the criticism they have received. He acknowledged that multiple factors contributed to their losses, including both bowling and batting deficiencies.However, Rizwan strongly refuted rumors of internal divisions, labeling them as "outside chatter." He pointed out that the same team had previously reached finals and semi-finals, indicating that the current struggles are not solely due to internal issues.According to reports, Babar Azam faced the challenge of uniting the team upon his return as captain, but was unable to do so due to alleged groupings. Shaheen Afridi was reportedly upset at losing the captaincy and not receiving support from Babar, while Rizwan was unhappy at not being considered for the role.Despite these rumors, reliable sources have confirmed that PCB chairman Mohsin Naqvi will not make an immediate decision on Babar Azam's captaincy. Pakistan's next white-ball series is scheduled for November, giving the team time to address the issues that led to their World Cup exit.

Pakistan's star pacer Shaheen Shah Afridi has lauded Team India's triumph in the T20 World Cup 2024, despite Pakistan's disappointing group-stage exit.Afridi, who was stripped of his captaincy before the tournament, praised India's performance in the final against South Africa, which they won by a narrow margin. "Both teams played well. On the day, whichever team handles the pressure better wins. India played a good brand of cricket and deserved to win," he said.Afridi acknowledged India's late bowling heroics, led by Jasprit Bumrah, which turned the tide in their favor. He also expressed his admiration for India's overall performance throughout the tournament.Despite Pakistan's early exit, Afridi remained optimistic about the team's future. "Strong teams compete in the World Cup and they come after going through a process. I think we need to correct a few things and if we work hard, results will be with us," he said.Afridi's comments come amidst calls from former cricketers and fans for a major overhaul of the Pakistan team. However, he believes that the team has the potential to bounce back with the right approach."We have a lot of talent in Pakistan. We just need to find the right combination and work together as a unit. I am confident that we can achieve success in the future," he added.

Former Pakistan cricketer Umar Akmal has shed light on an incident that highlights the unwavering support MS Dhoni extended to Virat Kohli during a challenging phase in his career. Akmal's revelation comes in the wake of Kohli's recent struggles at the T20 World Cup 2024.In 2012-13, during Pakistan's tour of India, Kohli was enduring a similar slump in form. Akmal, who was present at a dinner with Dhoni, Suresh Raina, Yuvraj Singh, and Shoaib Malik, witnessed firsthand how Dhoni stood up for Kohli.According to Akmal, the Team India manager approached Dhoni and suggested dropping Kohli from the final ODI of the series. However, Dhoni's response was emphatic: "I haven't gone home for six months. Why don't you book my tickets too along with Virat's?"Dhoni's unwavering belief in Kohli's abilities left Akmal astounded. "Virat is our best batter. Why should we drop him if he fails for 3-4 games?" Dhoni had reasoned.Akmal's account underscores the deep bond between Dhoni and Kohli. Dhoni's unwavering support played a pivotal role in Kohli's development as a cricketer. Less than two years later, Dhoni handed over the Test match captaincy to Kohli, recognizing his leadership qualities.Kohli's recent triumph at the T20 World Cup 2024, where he led India to their second title, is a testament to the unwavering support he has received throughout his career. Dhoni's belief in Kohli's abilities has been instrumental in shaping the Indian captain's illustrious career.